Medical negligence experts at Switalskis have welcomed news about a potential breakthrough in the treatment of a rare condition affecting unborn twins – as they continue their support for a 15-year-old Grimsby girl who had the same condition while still in the womb with her twin sister but suffered life-changing injuries.

Our specialists have welcomed news of a pioneering procedure developed by researchers at Queen Charlotte's and Chelsea Hospital in London which used high-powered sound waves to treat identical twins affected by the serious but thankfully rare condition known as twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS).

TTTS occurs when blood flow between babies in the womb is uneven, leaving one baby dangerously small and the other too large, putting the survival of both at risk.

The condition is believed to affect 10-15% of identical twins that share a placenta – occurring in around 300-400 pregnancies every year in the UK.

It leads to a build-up of excess fluid around the larger baby and a dangerous lack of fluid around the smaller donor baby, potentially harming both.

Amanda’s story: loss of a sister and lasting injury

The mother of Amanda, not her real name as her identity is protected under law, became pregnant with twins in September 2010. In December of the same year, she underwent an ultrasound procedure which confirmed that she had monochromic diamniotic twins – identical twins who shared a single placenta but had separate amniotic sacs.

A plan was put in place to monitor and manage the twins and their mother believed her pregnancy was progressing normally.

However, 31 weeks into her pregnancy, Amanda’s mum attended [the Diana, Princess of Wales Hospital in Grimsby] with abdominal pains. She was initially diagnosed with a urinary tract infection (UTI) and sent home.

The next day, she had to go back into the same hospital, operated by the Northern Lincolnshire and Goole NHS Foundation Trust, with worsening pains and reduced foetal movements.

Subsequent investigations revealed a slow heart rate for Amanda’s twin sister and that their mother was already dilating. As a result, a decision was made to carry out an emergency caesarean section but both babies then needed to be resuscitated.

Although Amanda was able to be resuscitated, tragically her twin sister could not be and died.

Just 48 hours later, Amanda suffered a bowel perforation and required surgery, leaving her with significant abdominal scarring.

The expert medical negligence team at Switalskis, which supports many families who have experienced maternity negligence, are also continuing to investigate whether she sustained brain damage as a result of the delay in proceeding to emergency delivery.

Expert evidence has also shown that earlier delivery would have prevented Amanda’s twin sister’s death and members of the Switalskis team have successfully concluded a clinical negligence case against the Northern Lincolnshire and Goole NHS Foundation Trust for the family’s tragic loss of their child, which settled in 2014.

In Amanda’s case, evidence has also shown that earlier delivery would have avoided the hypoxia and bowel perforation in twin 2 she sustained and the case against the Trust and the Diana, Princess of Wales Hospital continues.

‘A welcome development in treating TTTS but too late for Amanda and her family’: our expert’s view.

Chris Gresswell-Green , Director and medical negligence expert at Switalskis offices in Grimsby and Leeds, said: “Thankfully, TTTS is a rare condition but it still affects a number of twins and their families every year so any progress in treating it has to be welcomed.

“However, Amanda’s very sad case shows just how dangerous this condition can be if it is not identified and treated as soon as possible. The Trust has already accepted that the delay cost Amanda her sister and cost her family a much-loved child.

“What’s more, our investigations suggest that the delay also caused serious, avoidable harm to Amanda which she is living with today, 15 years on, and may also have caused a life-changing brain injury which will affect her for life”.

“Her family will always look at news like this and wonder what might have happened if their case was treated with the urgent it needed. We will continue to fight their case against the Northern Lincolnshire and Goole NHS Foundation Trust and also to highlight the lessons that can be learned from this, not just with regard to TTTS but also to ensure the Trust improves safety across its maternity services for all babies and their families.”

How Switalskis medical negligence experts can support you

For compassionate advice from our experienced medical negligence team  , contact us today. Call 0800 995 6068  or email help@switalskis.com  .